Help with Removing Header pipe.

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Feb 28, 2010 | 09:22 PM

sp9997

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 321

Likes: 1

From: Carol Stream, IL

Help with Removing Header pipe.

Hello all... I am waiting for my vance and hines big radius 2 into 1 for my 2008 fatboy. I am going for stage1 with AN Big Sucker, PC 3 and V&H big radius. I am getting my pipes and big sucker on wednesday. In process I am getting my bike ready.. I already removed my Air Filter and now working on my pipes. I removed all the heat shields, removed both the mufflers, removed the Oxygen Sensors but not from the pipes... Now I am at the stage where I need to remove the header pipes but looks like the space between the Left flange nut on the Left header pipe has not much room to get a socket in there let alone a wrench... I tried looking for some direction on the search but could not find any help... Please direct me on how to remove the Left Header pipe ...right looks pretty straight forward but I dont want to start it without knowing how to finish it...Any tips and tricks would be greatly welcomed... Thanks once again..

Feb 28, 2010 | 09:26 PM

tmitchellof PG

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 3,718

Likes: 11

From: Punta Gorda,FL

Have you tried a 1/4" socket set and a short 1/2" socket? A 3/8" socket set is too tight a fit.
Tom

Feb 28, 2010 | 09:32 PM

RKKY

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 2,049

Likes: 6

From: Oregon City, OR

1/4" drive 1/2" universal has always worked for me. Get a decent quality one though. Have destroyed a few Craftsman universals on nuts that my Snap-On sockets pulled off with ease.

Feb 28, 2010 | 09:36 PM

trozenhorse

Road Captain

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 731

Likes: 2

From: Montreal Quebec Canada

i had to use a wrench on one of the bolts, no way to get a socket in there, i have good ratcheting wrenches always nice to use. and the have abs plastic inside so they dont scratch any bolts.

Feb 28, 2010 | 09:41 PM

ashmarc

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 1,223

Likes: 6

From: Las Vegas, NV

Just tightened mine to see what you were up against.

My stubby 1/2" box end wrench worked like a charm.

Standard Craftsman 1/2" wrench - about 6 3/8" long
Stubby Husky 1/2" wrench - about 3 3/8" long

Last edited by ashmarc; Feb 28, 2010 at 09:47 PM.

Feb 28, 2010 | 09:45 PM

DR. V-TWIN

Former Sponsor

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 19,364

Likes: 40

From: Los Angeles, CA

I use a socket with a long extension for all the nuts except the front lower which I use a box end wrench as it is impossible to get a socket on it at the angle it is at. At least for me.

Mar 1, 2010 | 12:18 PM

sp9997

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 321

Likes: 1

From: Carol Stream, IL

Thank you everyone for your superfast comments ... I never thought that I would get the response this fast.. I posted the question hoping that someone would shed some light sometime in next 8-9 hrs so I hit the bed right away. Only to find out that you guys all posted in like few minutes.. Anyhow I was able to get the header pipes out.. I was able to install my PC-III USB and tie it down behind the mudguard... now I am waiting for my new pipes to arrive along with my Air Filter..

I had one more question.. The gaskets in the cylinders look fine ... do I have to put in new ones or would I be able to get away with what I have in there.. I have only 800 miles on the bike...

Again Thanks for all your responses